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The soybean industry in Canada is seeking opportunities to expand cultivation due to economic and environmental benefits of growing soybean. Climate projections indicate that soybean expansion into Saskatchewan would be possible with the increases in the available crop heat units under a future warmer climate; however, crop water availability could limit yields. Using a crop growth model, we simulated soybean yields within the Canadian Regional Agricultural Model regions in Saskatchewan for the near-term (2030s), mid-term (2050s), and distant future (2070s) periods under different climate scenarios. Soybean yields were simulated without water stress (potential yield), with water stress (rainfed yield), and under full and partial irrigation scenarios. Irrigation water needs were estimated under the irrigation scenarios and irrigation water availability was discussed. Our results suggest that reasonable and likely more profitable yields (∼2000–2500 kg ha−1) can be achieved under rainfed conditions in the Black soil zone neighbouring Manitoba but soybean production would be less favourable in the Dark Brown soil zone and least favourable in the Brown soil zone. Northeastern regions in the Black soil zone were found to be suitable for growing soybean cultivars in the maturity group (MG) 0 in the distant future and MG 00 in the mid-term under the medium–high greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Soybean would still not be suitable in the northwestern region. Our results indicate that regions in central Saskatchewan requiring 120–170 mm of irrigation are more likely to benefit from the proposed Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Projects in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic manure amendments into the rainfed agricultural soil could change the carbon saturation deficit. This study was conducted in the central Himalayan region of India to assess the impact of varying quantities of farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost (VC) on changes of soil carbon saturation deficit in the rainfed agricultural system. The experimental plots with three replications and three different amendment rates, such as 15, 30, and 60 Mg ha−1 of FYM and VC were used on the traditional paddy-wheat-finger millet-fallow cropping system. The soil amended with FYM and VC showed significant (p < .05) variations in the soil carbon content, nitrogen content, total microbial activity, β-glucosidase activity, and acid phosphatase activity with an increasing rate of both the manures in each cropping season. The mean soil carbon saturation deficit values varied from 25 to 36% and 19 to 28% in the first year cropping and second year cropping seasons, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the VC amendment was better than FYM for the accumulation of more carbon content in the rainfed agricultural soils of Himalaya, whereas the organic manure amendment rates must be considered for climate change impact mitigation action policy in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of agriculture in the farming-pastoral zone of northern China remains in dispute. The central region of the Inner Mongolia Plateau is located in the core area of the farming-pastoral zone; thus, it is a critical region for exploring the origin of the dryland farming system in northern China. This study selected the Yumin Site and Banan Site, which belong to the Yumin Culture-the beginning of Neolithic culture in Inner Mongolia-as the research objects. Based on the quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating on the sedimentary sections from the Yumin site (YM) and Banan site (BN1 and BN2), the Holocene chronology framework of each section was established. After that, by identifying carbonized grains in the Yumin site and the multi-proxy analysis of each section, we investigated the relationship between the origin of agriculture and climate change in this region. The results revealed that the timing of the origin of agriculture recorded in the Yumin site lagged behind the timing of a significant increase of precipitation during the early Holocene but coincided with the timing of a significant increase of vegetation around 8.4 ka. This phenomenon was further confirmed by the published high-resolution paleoenvironmental records from the surrounding area of the Yumin Culture. We propose that with the gradual amelioration of hydrothermal conditions since the beginning of the Holocene, the regional ecosystem had been improved, resulting in the gradual conversion of the land surface from infertile sand to organic-rich soil, providing an appropriate environmental foundation for the origin of dryland farming in northern China around 8.4 ka. This study highlighted that the "accumulative environmental effects" during the early Holocene played a vital role in the origin of agriculture in northern China and provided a reference for agricultural management in the context of future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversifying wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-based cropping systems is important for the sustainability of dryland agriculture. Research has focused on the agronomic benefits of increased crop diversity in semi-arid environments, but less is known about the impacts of increased crop diversity on the soil microbial community. This work compared soil health parameters between a continuous wheat crop sequence to a diverse sequence that included pea (Pisum sativum L.), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius, L.), and spring wheat. Respiration was higher (p <.005) in the diverse sequence while activity of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase was lower (p <.05) with a mean rate of 26.3 and 16.3 mg ρ-nitrophenol kg−1 soil h−1 for the continuous wheat and diverse sequences, respectively. The mean net nitrogen mineralized during the growing season was 33.2 ± 2.5 kg ha−1 and was not different between treatments (p >.05). No difference was observed in bacterial alpha diversity, while fungal community diversity was 52% lower in the diverse rotation. The results of this work suggest that specific crops in a rotation may impact microbial processes related to nitrogen mineralization and that the soil fungal community may be more sensitive to changes in crop sequence than the soil bacterial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and identifying appropriate adaptation optons for cropping systems and management practices at spatial and temporal scales is an important prerequisite for scaling. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br.) could be regarded as a risk-reducing measure crop under climate change when coupled with tactical agronomic management practices. In this study, we assess the impacts of adaptation strategies such as cultivar type, planting windows, and fertilizer strategies on pearl millet production under rainfed farming systems over Nigeria and Senegal using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. The impact of climate change on millet yield was evaluated using a validated APSIM-millet module that utilized yield data collected through participatory research and extension approach (PREA) in contrasting environments. The climate model projections for the mid-century period (2040-2069) were compared against a baseline period of 1980-2009 for both locations. During the simulation, two millet varieties (improved local and dualpurpose) with two sowing regimes were considered comparing traditional farmers' sowing window (dry sowing) and agronomic sowing window (planting based on the onset of the rainfall) at three different fertilizer levels [low (23 kg N ha-1), medium (40.5 kg N ha-1), and high (68.5 kg N ha-1) respectively]. The performance of the APSIM-millet module was found to be satisfactory as indicated by the low Root Means Square Error (RMSE) and Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE) values. The range for grain yield was between 17.7% and 25.8%, while for AGB it was between 18.6% and 21.4%. The results showed that farmers' sowing window simulated slightly higher grain yield than the agronomic sowing window for improved local millet cultivar indicating yield increased by 8-12%. However, the projected changes in the mid-century (2040- 2069) resulted in a decline in yield against baseline climate for both varieties and sowing windows, indicating the negative impact of climate change (CC) on yield productivity. The comparison between dual-purpose millet and improved local millet indicates that disseminating the improved millet variety and implementing early sowing could be an effective adaptation strategy in reducing risks and losses caused by climate change. Similarly, low magnitude impacts simulated on grain yield (< -8% in Nigeria compared to > -8% in Senegal) even though both locations are in the same agroecological zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater resources serve as the primary source of water in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, where scarcity of water resources constrains the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. As a typical rainfed agricultural area, the agro-pastoral ecotone in Inner Mongolia is entirely dependent on groundwater for agricultural irrigation. Due to the substantial groundwater consumption of irrigated farmland, groundwater levels have been progressively declining. To obtain a sustainable irrigation pattern that significantly conserves water, this study faces the challenge of unclear water transport relationships among water, soil, and crops, undefined water cycle mechanism in typical irrigation units, and water use efficiency, which was not assessed. Therefore, this paper, based on in situ experimental observations and daily meteorological data in 2022–2023, utilized the DSSAT model to explore the growth processes of potato, oat, alfalfa, and sunflower, the soil water dynamics, the water balance, and water use efficiency, analyzed over a typical irrigation area. The results indicated that the simulation accuracy of the DSSAT model was ARE < 10%, nRMSE/% < 10%, and R2 ≥ 0.85. The consumption of the soil moisture during the rapid growth stage for the potatoes, oats, alfalfa, and sunflower was 7–13% more than that during the other periods, and the yield was 67,170, 3345, 6529, and 4020 kg/ha, respectively. The soil evaporation of oat, potato, alfalfa, and sunflower accounted for 18–22%, 78–82%; 57–68%, and 32–43%, and transpiration accounted for 40–44%, 56–60%, 45–47%, and 53–55% of ETa (333.8 mm–369.2 mm, 375.2 mm–414.2 mm, 415.7 mm–453.7 mm, and 355.0 mm–385.6 mm), respectively. It was advised that irrigation water could be appropriately reduced to decrease ineffective water consumption. The water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency for potatoes was at the maximum amount, ranging from 16.22 to 16.62 kg/m3 and 8.61 to 10.81 kg/m3, respectively, followed by alfalfa, sunflowers, and oats. For the perspective of water productivity, it was recommended that potatoes could be extensively cultivated, alfalfa planted appropriately, and oats and sunflowers planted less. The findings of this study provided a theoretical basis for efficient water resource use in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To maintain sustainable broadacre farming in the future, a better understanding of soil microbiome functions and processes associated with adapting agronomic management practices will be key. This is primarily due to the irreplaceable roles of the soil microbiome in soil and plant interactions, human health and ecosystem functions and stability. We approached this challenge by reviewing how different land management practices influence soil microbial communities. The important role that the soil microbiome plays in cropping systems is analyzed in the context of an overview of changes in land management over the past two decades using southern Australian dryland farming as a case study. Many major changes in management have occurred in this system during this time, including (i) reduction in tillage, with a corresponding increase in direct drilling and stubble retention; (ii) inclusion of oilseeds and pulses in cereal-dominated rotation systems; (iii) decrease in the pasture-dominated grain production systems; (iv) increased use of agrochemicals; (v) different soil amelioration applications and (vi) development of innovative agricultural technology. We review the overarching role of climate extremes in impacting agronomic management practices in southern Australian farming systems. In all, we demonstrate the complex interplay between land management changes and the activity, diversity and functions of the soil microbiome, with reference to changes in agronomic management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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[Objective The aims of this study are to analyze the response of farmland surface runoff and sediment loss to rainfall patterns under different planting modes, to explore the laws of farmland surface runoff and sediment transport in the Poyang Lake plain area under new circumstances, and to provide scientific basis for preventing and controlling farmland surface soil erosion, [Methods] 64 rainfall events were classified using K-means clustering method, and combined with monitoring data such as runoff and sediment production in runoff plots, the impact of surface runoff and sediment losses in different rainfall types of farmlands under three planting modes were analyzed. Results] (1) The duration, rainfall and maximum rainfall intensity of 30 minutes were taken as the rainfall characteristic indicators. The rainfall could be divided into 4 types (type A: 'medium duration, small rainfall and light rainfall intensity', type B: 'short duration, small rainfall and medium rainfall intensity', type C: 'long duration, heavy rainfall and medium rainfall intensity', and type D: short duration, medium rainfall and heavy rainfall intensity'). (2) The variation of runoff and rainfall of each planting mode was basically the same, and the runoff was also more when the rainfall was larger. In each month dry farming mode produced the most runoff, (3) No matter what type of rainfall, the runoff and sediment losses of dry farming mode were the highest. Under the types A and C. the runoff and sediment yields of water farming mode were the lowest. Under the type B. the runoff reduction effect of water and dry rotation mode was the best. (4) There were significant differences in the total runoff and sediment loss under different planting modes, and the performance followed the order: dry farming mode paddy upland rotation mode paddy farming mode. [Conclusion In conclusion. compared with the dry farming model, the water farming model has certain advantages in reducing runoff and sediment, especially when dealing with type A and type C. the effect of runoff and sediment reduction is more obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the climatology and trends in climate in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador over the past four decades, against the background of potential impacts on rainfed agriculture, livelihoods, and migration. The results show that there has been a significant warming of surface temperatures, an earlier start to the monsoon, a drier and longer mid‐summer drought, and a delay in the second peak of precipitation from September to October. These changes have led to an increase in vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in northern Guatemala and along the Pacific coast in winter. High VPD can stress plants and lead to reduced yields. The study also finds that the thresholds that cause a decline in coffee yield have already been reached in El Salvador, but the average VPD has also risen in Guatemala and Honduras over the past 42 years. Maize yields have also been negatively affected with an inverse relationship with daily maximum temperatures during the summer flowering season. Observed changes and trends in these climate factors are believed to have direct implications for crop yields and livelihoods, potentially driving shifts in migration patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of the combined application of water-retaining agents and nitrogen fertilizers on soil physicochemical properties, bacterial communities, and root growth under winter wheat planting mode in the Guanzhong area of Shaanxi Province. Based on the positioning experiment of dry farming in the loessal soil area of Shaanxi Province, four treatments were set up by using the tillage method of subsoiling + rotary tillage and straw returning: only fertilization (U), only water retention agent sodium polyacrylate (C3H3NaO2)n (S), combined use of water-retaining agent sodium polyacrylate (C3H3NaO2)n and fertilizer (US), and control group CK (no treatment). The ultra-high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes of soil bacteria was performed by the Illumina Hiseq platform, and the effects of different tillage measures on soil bacterial diversity and community structure were analyzed. In addition, the effects of these tillage measures on soil physicochemical properties and winter wheat root length density at booting and flowering stages were evaluated. The results indicated that the combination of the water-retaining agent and fertilizer markedly enhanced the contents of ammonium nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium in the 0~20 cm soil layer, significantly increased the soil moisture content, and promoted the deep growth of roots. The root length density was 4.70 times higher than that of the control group at the booting stage. In addition, the combined application alleviated the decrease in soil microbial diversity caused by individual fertilization, especially significantly increasing the abundance of Gemmatimonadetes, Acidobacteria, and Planctomycetes in the 0~10 cm soil layer. This study reveals the potential of the combined use of water retention agents and fertilizers to optimize the soil environment and enhance winter wheat yield, which provides a scientific basis for improving local agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is a major economic crop predominantly cultivated under rainfed situations. The accurate prediction of cotton yield invariably helps farmers, industries, and policy makers. The final cotton yield is mostly determined by the weather patterns that prevail during the crop growing phase. Crop yield prediction with greater accuracy is possible due to the development of innovative technologies which analyses the bigdata with its high-performance computing abilities. Machine learning technologies can make yield prediction reasonable and faster and with greater flexibility than process based complex crop simulation models. The present study demonstrates the usability of ML algorithms for yield forecasting and facilitates the comparison of different models. The cotton yield was simulated by employing the weekly weather indices as inputs and the model performance was assessed by nRMSE, MAPE and EF values. Results show that stacked generalised ensemble model and artificial neural networks predicted the cotton yield with lower nRMSE, MAPE and higher efficiency compared to other models. Variable importance studies in LASSO and ENET model found minimum temperature and relative humidity as the main determinates of cotton yield in all districts. The models were ranked based these performance metrics in the order of Stacked generalised ensemble > ANN > PCA ANN > SMLR ANN > LASSO> ENET > SVM > PCA SMLR > SMLR SVM > SMLR. This study shows that stacked generalised ensembling and ANN method can be used for reliable yield forecasting at district or county level and helps stakeholders in timely decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholders of dryland ecosystems continue to live below the poverty line while facing significant economic and social deprivation with decreasing landholding. Most dryland farmers perform conventional disintegrated farming practices due to a lack of knowledge and resource inefficiency. This study investigates the possibility of an Integrated Farming System (IFS) to address the current dryland farming issues and explore various factors affecting its adoption among the farming community. This study aims to apply and compare supervised learning techniques to assess the primary drivers affecting the adoption of the IFS in rural southern India. The study shows that organic fertilizer production, farmers' age, and involvement in the extension activity are the major factors affecting the adoption of IFS among dryland farmers. The study supports that small and marginal farmers have a high possibility of realizing the higher benefit from IFS. The study recommends that these components be given proper policy consideration in designing and implementing an effective farming system in dryland areas to improve farmers' income levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a summary of a collection of articles that explore the impacts of various agronomic practices on crop yields and ecosystem functioning in dryland agroecosystems. The articles cover topics such as the effects of plastic mulch, straw returning, biochar amendments, intercropping, biomass allocation patterns, conservation tillage, and soil drying-rewetting cycles. The findings suggest that these practices can enhance soil fertility, increase crop productivity, improve soil moisture and temperature conditions, reduce soil degradation, and mitigate environmental pollution. However, the effects of these practices can vary depending on factors such as geographical location, crop type, and environmental conditions. Further research is needed to expand our understanding of these practices in different contexts. [Extracted from the article]

Aims: Nitrogen (N) fertilizer application greatly enhances grain yield by improving dry matter accumulation and grain filling in winter wheat. However, the regulation mechanism of N rates on dry matter accumulation, transportation, and grain filling in winter wheat under dry farming could be more precise. Methods: Five N treatments viz. 0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg·N·ha−1, designated as N0, N75, N150, N225, and N300, were tested in two growing seasons of 2017–18 and 2018–19. Results: Fertilization significantly increased dry matter accumulation and intensity and assimilated accumulation after anthesis and its contribution to grain yield. N fertilizer significantly improved the superior and inferior grain weights, with the highest at N225, and increased by 22.29% and 24.41% in 2017–18 and 22.06% and 12.68% in 2018–19, respectively, compared to N0 (P < 0.05). Moreover, N fertilization increased the initial grain-filling potential and mean filling rate, shortened the days achieving the maximal grain-filling rate. N fertilizer increased the filling rate in the three periods, shortening the duration of the first-middle period, prolonging the late period, and increasing the contribution of the mid-late filling period to grain weight. However, excessive N application led to a reduction in the filling rate for each period. It prolonged the duration in the mid-late periods, which was not conducive to further increases in grain weight. Conclusions: The N225 can be a more suitable N fertilizer for improving the accumulation and transfer of dry matter, promoting grain-filling, and increasing wheat yield in dry farming in the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Fertilization methods have affected the development of dryland agriculture. There is a need to understand the impacts of different fertilizer application depths on crop production and gas emissions to facilitate the sustainable development of dryland agriculture. Methods: A field experiment was conducted for two years (2019–2020) in a dryland agroecosystem in the Loess Plateau region of China. Five fertilizer placement depths were tested comprising 0 cm (FD0), 5 cm (FD5), 15 cm (FD15), 25 cm (FD25), and 35 cm (FD35). N-P-K fertilizer was applied to all treatments as base fertilizer at the same rate. After sowing, the gas emission fluxes were measured 17 consecutive times. We systematically analyzed the effects of different fertilization depths on the summer maize (Zhengdan 958) yield, ammonia (NH3) volatilization, and greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4)). Results: The results showed that the NH3 volatilization, N2O emissions, CO2 emissions, and global warming potential (GWP) decreased as the fertilization depth increased. Compared with the traditional fertilization depth (FD5), deep fertilization at 15 cm clearly reduced the NH3 volatilization, N2O emissions, CO2 emissions, GWP, and greenhouse gas intensity. In addition, compared with FD25 or FD35, FD15 increased the capacity of the soil to absorb CH4. Critically, compared with the traditional fertilization depth, FD15 can effectively improve the summer maize biomass yield (4.2%) and grain yield (18.1%) at the final harvest. Conclusion: FD15 can promote the sustainable development of dryland agriculture in the Loess Plateau region of China by improving crop production and reducing gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of this study was to propose a maize–peanut intercropping system for traditional sole maize to increase economic benefits and decrease environmental pollution for dryland farming. Methods: The treatments comprised sole maize, sole peanut, maize–peanut intercropping, maize–peanut intercropping–rotation (rotation of the maize and peanut planting strips every year), and maize–peanut intercropping–rotation with 20% and 40% N reduction in maize planting strip. Soil water and total N stock, photosynthetic traits, yield, greenhouse gas emissions, economic income, and interspecific relationships were evaluated. Results: Intercropped maize absorbed more moisture but lost more N than sole maize. Maize–peanut intercropping had higher economic benefits and less N2O emissions than sole maize, but had no intercropped advantage on land equivalent ratio. In addition, intercropping increased the continuous cropping barriers of peanuts than a sole peanut. Rotation of the planting strips in intercropping increased the peanut yield and economic benefits compared with not rotating the planting strips, and the economic benefits reached the highest level in the third planting year. A 20% N reduction in maize planting strips can decrease the global warming potential without affecting economic benefits. A 40% N reduction in maize planting strips could reduce soil N stock, maize yield, water use efficiency, N use efficiency, land equivalent ratio, and income. Conclusions: A maize–peanut intercropping–rotation system is recommended for dryland farming since it promoted efficient use of N and economic benefits and decreased N2O emission. The proper N reduction in maize planting does not lead to N stress but decreased global warming potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper speaks to the uneven scholarly attention gone into tracing dominant forms of water governance as opposed to practices crafting alternative human-water relations on the ground. Through the case of an Indian-based network mobilising to transform how we understand rainfed regions as rain-dependent socio-ecologies, I theorise their action 'with care', a commitment to think-with grassroots movements as actors capable of bringing new worlds into being. Describing their activities as worlding-practices, I explore how the network confronts the invisibilities inscribed by the current paradigm reducing water to irrigation by defining alternative metrological tools that recentre the governance of water from the perspective of the rainfall. Tinkering with the variables of the constituted metrology, the network utilises an atlas, a formula, and an acronym to enact a different rainfed sociality into being, creating visibilities and cares for neglected things. Through the story of a grassroots group and their strategies of mobilisation, this account contributes to debates on how to pluralise water governance, suggesting that reimagining its practices requires taking seriously the performativity of grassroots knowledges. Building alliances between research and activism as e/affective world-building partners becomes key to co-theorise liveable human-water relations and caring socio-ecologies at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian agriculture transitioned from a food deficit sector to a food surplus following the Green Revolution. However, the continued progress of Indian agriculture has been hampered by climate change. This research explores the district-wise vulnerability in Madhya Pradesh, India, to climate change by assessing the composite vulnerability index using the agricultural vulnerability index (AVI) and socio-economic vulnerability index (SEVI). The study seeks to understand how agricultural and socio-economic factors lead to variations in vulnerability across districts and influence targeted adaptation and mitigation strategies. The trend analysis results present declining rainfall and inclining temperature from 1951 to 2021 in Madhya Pradesh, directly affecting the agricultural sector and human livelihood. The composite vulnerability index (CVI) results revealed that districts with low values (< 0.394), such as Burhanpur and Balaghat, demonstrate reduced susceptibility due to limited cultivation, low reliance on rainfall, lower drought susceptibility, and decreased population density. Districts such as Panna and Bhopal show moderate vulnerability (0.394–0.423), with lower fallow land, reduced rainfed agriculture, and socio-economic vulnerability. Extensive agriculture and marginalised workers' presence influence high vulnerability (0.423 to 0.456) in districts such as Tikamgarh and Indore. Districts like Barwani and Jhabua have the highest CVI values (> 0.456), indicating substantial susceptibility to climate impacts. The cluster analysis validates the results of the vulnerability index. The findings highlight the urgent need for tailored adaptation strategies to address the diverse agricultural and socio-economic indicators creating vulnerability in Madhya Pradesh. The study helps understand regional vulnerability patterns and provides evidence-based policy approaches for resilience to climate change effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vulnerable households, often the target for efforts to increase resilience, likely hold beliefs about their ability to control outcomes that make them less likely to invest in new technologies. Locus of control provides one way to elicit these beliefs and can help identify populations requiring additional support prior to widespread adoption of new technologies. This paper presents evidence from a large sample of maize‐producing households in Mozambique and Tanzania. A more external locus of control is strongly associated with lower expected returns to improved maize varieties and a reduced probability of their adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the application of innovative trend analysis for rainfall variability in the middle catchment of the Mahanadi River basin in India. The study aims to identify and characterize trends in annual and seasonal rainfall using the innovative trend analysis (ITA) technique. The ITA method offers a non-parametric approach for detecting both monotonic and sub-trends within time series data, overcoming limitations of traditional trend analysis methods. The results of the study show complex patterns of rainfall trends across different seasons, with both increases and decreases in rainfall observed in different areas. The findings have implications for water resource management and sustainable agriculture in the region, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of rainfall patterns and the impact of climate change. [Extracted from the article]

Atmospheric dryness (i.e., high vapor pressure deficit, VPD), together with soil moisture stress, limits plant photosynthesis and threatens ecosystem functioning. Regions where rainfall and soil moisture are relatively sufficient, such as the rainfed part of the U.S. Corn Belt, are especially prone to high VPD stress. With globally projected rising VPD under climate change, it is crucial to understand, simulate, and manage its negative impacts on agricultural ecosystems. However, most existing models simulating crop response to VPD are highly empirical and insufficient in capturing plant response to high VPD, and improved modeling approaches are urgently required. In this study, by leveraging recent advances in plant hydraulic theory, we demonstrate that the VPD constraints in the widely used coupled photosynthesis‐stomatal conductance models alone are inadequate to fully capture VPD stress effects. Incorporating plant xylem hydraulic transport significantly improves the simulation of transpiration under high VPD, even when soil moisture is sufficient. Our results indicate that the limited water transport capability from the plant root to the leaf stoma could be a major mechanism of plant response to high VPD stress. We then introduce a Demand‐side Hydraulic Limitation Factor (DHLF) that simplifies the xylem and the leaf segments of the plant hydraulic model to only one parameter yet captures the effect of plant hydraulic transport on transpiration response to high VPD with similar accuracy. We expect the improved understanding and modeling of crop response to high VPD to help contribute to better management and adaptation of agricultural systems in a changing climate. Key Points: Coupled photosynthesis‐stomatal conductance models alone underestimate vapor pressure deficit (VPD) stress effects on crop stomatal conductance and transpirationLimited plant hydraulic transport capability could play a role in plant response to high VPDA simplified representation of plant hydraulic model for capturing VPD stress on plants is proposed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peninsular India, being completely under the influence ofmonsoonal climate, suffers crop yield variability due to rainfall distribution-induced soil moisture constraints. Timely and appropriate assessment of this rainfall and soil moisture-induced crop yield variability serves as a key for exemplary relief assistance. Per cent available soil moisture (PASM) is one among several drought declaration indices followed by stakeholders in India for declaration of drought, needs re-evaluation as the existing criteria in unable to capture the yield loss due to ineffective classification of PASM categories. This study attempts to revise the agricultural drought classes by PASM based on relationships established between yield of major rainfed crops of the study region and PASM. Methods: Analysis of yield variability due to PASM was carried out based on long term observations in experiments conducted at five dry farming locations (Akola, Parbhani, Kovilpatti, Ananthapuramu and Bengaluru) of peninsular India. The average yield for each category of PASM was calculated and tabulated for regression analysis. The PASM versus yield in each group was correlated and regression equations were developed if significant positive correlations were established. Results: The range of available soil moisture to obtain at least 50 percent of optimum yield in cereals (maize: 26 and finger millet: 52.9 PASM), pulses (pigeon pea: 37.2 PASM), oilseeds (soybean: 26.8 to 30.5, groundnut: 53.8 to 61.7 PASM) and commercial crops (cotton: 26.3 PASM) was 26--61 percent. Conclusion: The revised PASM-based drought classes (0--50 severe; 51--75 mild and 76--100 no drought) would help in drought declaration and precise identification of drought-hit areas for meaningful relief assistance. However, there is further investigation is needed to include a soil component for further fine-tuning of the criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revealing how plant architecture affects the responses of canopy temperature depression (CTD), water use (WU), and grain yield to population density (PD) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) would help explore a water‐saving pathway related to managing population. This study was conducted over three consecutive years under rainfed and supplemental irrigation conditions. The flat‐leafed Jinmai 47 and upright‐leafed Jing 411 genotypes were grown at high population density (HD), medium population density (MD), and low population density (LD); seeding rates were 450, 675, and 900 seeds m−2, respectively). CTD peaked at MD in Jinmai 47 but reached the highest at HD in Jing 411. WU generally increased with increasing PD but remained unchanged from LD to MD in Jinmai 47 under the two water conditions, while it remained unchanged from MD to HD under supplemental irrigation condition in Jing 411. Yield increased with increasing density in both genotypes under the two water conditions. It is thus clear that Jinmai 47 gained higher yield but did not consume more water at MD than at LD under the two water conditions; Jing 411 obtained higher yield at the expense of similar amount of water at HD than at MD under supplemental irrigation condition. The grain yield and WU responses of wheat crops to PD implied that through appropriately adjusting PD in combination with plant architecture and water condition, the dual goals of optimizing yield and effectively saving irrigation water could be realized synchronously. Core Ideas: Plant architecture influences canopy temperature and water use responses to population density in wheat.Canopy temperature depression reached its peak and then declined with increasing population density in wheat.Water use and grain yield generally increased as sowing density increased from 450 to 900 seeds m−2.Water use did not change at sowing density of 450–675 seeds m−2 for Jinmai 47 and 675–900 seeds m−2 for Jing 411. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chia is generally grown under rainfed conditions and is often under water deficit conditions during the critical period of flowering and grain filling when yield is determined. The objective of this study was to determine how intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (iPAR), radiation use efficiency (RUE), water use efficiency (WUE), and grain yield were affected by different soil water availabilities during the critical period for yield in chia. Four levels of total available water (TAW) during the critical period were obtained using supplemental drip irrigation including: T90 (90% TAW), T65 (65% TAW), T45 (45% TAW), and T30 (30% TAW). No reductions in iPAR and RUE (dry matter or yield per unit of intercepted radiation) were found between T65 and T90, which led to similar dry matter and grain yield. Water availabilities equal to or lower than 45% of TAW decreased iPAR, RUE, dry matter, and grain yield. The decrease in RUE under low TAW was associated with reductions in WUE (dry matter per mm of evapotranspiration) and in crop conductance (gc; evapotranspiration per unit of iPAR). These reductions in WUE and gc occurred, respectively, due to the greater contribution of soil evaporation to crop evapotranspiration and less transpiration per unit of intercepted radiation when TAW was 45% or lower. The use of supplemental irrigation to ensure 65% of TAW in the soil during the critical period for yield would reduce the importance of soil evaporation and increase crop transpiration by increasing crop ground cover and would lead to improved grain yields in chia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring changes in soil organic carbon over time is important to many agricultural and environmental goals. Despite decades of measurements, temporal variability in soil carbon measurements has not been studied extensively. In this report, we examine five sets of monthly samples extending up to 3 years each that were collected from field experiments at four locations representative of dryland farming in the Pacific Northwest. The variance from month‐to‐month was 15%–32% of the random error, averaging 20%. This was often greater than the variance between replicate experimental units (2%–42%, averaging 17%). At certain sites, sequential samples were found to be temporally autocorrelated, but no consistent trend patterned on seasonal factors like precipitation was found. This suggests that a single point‐in‐time sample can deviate substantially from the long‐term average soil carbon at the site. We illustrate this problem with the results of repeated soil samples taken from 12 commercial farm fields. We recommend that confidence intervals for soil organic carbon estimates should include variance based on a large population of samples rather than from a single sample set at one timepoint. Core Ideas: Soil organic carbon measurements demonstrate significant variability over time.The variability does not appear to be related to season, rainfall, or temperature.Carbon quantification requires an accounting for temporal variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production across the African continent is subjected to various effects of climate variability. One of the main staple foods in Sub-Saharan Africa is maize. However, limited scientific research has recently focused on understanding the possible effects of hydro-climatic variability on maize production. The aim of the present work was to contribute to policy and climate adaptation, thus reducing the vulnerability of maize production to climate change over Equatorial Africa. This study firstly examined long-term trends of precipitation (PRE), soil moisture (SM), actual evapotranspiration (E), and potential evapotranspiration (Ep), as well as surface air temperatures, including the minimum (TMIN) and maximum (TMAX). Secondly, the relationship between maize production and these climate variables was quantified for 18 Equatorial African countries (EQCs) over 1980−2021. To assess the linear trends, Mann–Kendall and Sen's slope tests were used to quantify the magnitude of the hydro-climatic variable trends at the 5% significance level, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relation of these climate parameters with the maize production. The annual mean PRE declined at 0.03 mm day−110a−1. Other climate variables increased at different rates: SM at 0.02 mmday−110a−1, E at 0.03 mm day−110a−1, Ep at 0.02 mm day−1 10a−1, TMIN and TMAX at 0.01 °C day−110a−1. A regional analysis revealed heterogeneous significant wet–dry and warm–cool trends over the EQCs. While, spatially, dry and warm climates were observed in the central to eastern areas, wet and warm conditions dominated the western regions. Generally, the correlations of maize production with the E, Ep, TMAX, and TMIN were strong (r > 0.7) and positive, while moderate (r > 0.45) correlations of maize production with PRE and SM were obvious. These country-wide analyses highlight the significance of climate change policies and offer a scientific basis for designing tailored adaptation strategies in rainfed agricultural regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Australia is renowned for its climate variation, featuring years with drought and years with floods, which result in significant production and profit variability. Accordingly, to maximise profitability, dryland farming systems need to be dynamically managed in response to unfolding weather conditions. Aims: The aim of this study is to identify and quantify optimal tactical livestock management for different weather-years. Methods: This study employed a whole-farm optimisation model to analyse a representative mixed enterprise farm located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Using this model, we investigated the economic significance of five key livestock management tactics. These included timing of sheep sales, pasture-area adjustments, rotational grazing, crop grazing and sheep nutrition adjustments. Key results: The results showed that, on the modelled dryland mixed-enterprise farm in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, short-term adjustments to the overall farm strategy in response to unfolding weather conditions increased expected profit by approximately 16%. Each tactic boosted profit by between A$7704 and A$53,171. However, we outline several complexities that farmers must consider when implementing tactics. Conclusions: The financial gains from short-term tactical management highlighted their importance and farmers' need to develop and apply those skills. The tactical skills promote business resilience and adaptability in the face of climate uncertainties. Implications: The study highlighted the economic value of dynamic livestock management in response to climate variations, offering farmers in the Great Southern region the means to underpin profitable and sustainable farm practices. Under Australia's renowned climate variation, it is profitable for farmer to implement short-term tactical management adjustments in response to the unfolding weather conditions. This paper has identified and quantified optimal tactical livestock management for different weather-years for a mixed-farming system in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), which is the site of India's Green Revolution, covers almost 15% of the country's landmass and is among the most extensively fertile lands across the world. The densely populated IGP region bears great importance for the socioeconomic facets of India and contributes to a major share of the GDP of the country. The present study demonstrates the regional-specific assessment of summer monsoon precipitation and associated extremes with dynamical and thermodynamical aspects over the IGP region using high-resolution regional climate models (RCMs) under the CORDEX-CORE framework. The analysis reveals that the eastern parts of the IGP receive low-to-moderate precipitation with a higher tail than the western parts, which is due to the direction of the monsoon low-level flow. The observed mean precipitation characteristics are well represented by the RCMs. Further, the research identifies extreme precipitation events over the IGP and conducts comprehensive analysis to understand their underlying mechanisms. It has been observed that extreme precipitation events are linked with the moisture transport associated with trough activity and instability, and RCMs are capable in representing the observed precipitation extremes and underlying mechanisms at localized scales. Overall, this study represents a significant step forward in understanding the evolution of spatio-temporal variability of precipitation over the IGP region, where agriculture is a major economic activity and millions of people depend on rainfed agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil amendments have been proposed as an effective way to enhance soil carbon stocks on degraded soils, particularly in dryland farming areas. Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an important role in improving soil quality, and soil aggregates are known to be crucial in sequestering and protecting SOC. However, how aggregation and protection of SOC by aggregates respond to a single application of bentonite combined with maize straw remains unknown, especially in the sandy soil of a semi-arid region. A three-year field experiment with four treatments [no amendment (CK), maize straw amendment addition only (T1, 6 Mg ha−1), bentonite amendment addition only (T2, 18 Mg ha−1), and maize straw combined with bentonite amendment (T3, 6 Mg ha−1 maize straw plus 18 Mg ha−1 bentonite)] was conducted in the Loess Plateau of China to assess the effects of bentonite and maize straw on aggregation and SOC. The results indicated that soil bulk density decreased by 2.72–5.42%, and soil porosity increased by 3.38–8.77% with three years of T3 application, especially in the 20–40 cm layer, compared with CK. T3 increased the amount of C input, SOC stock, and SOC stock sequestration rate by 1.04 Mg ha−1 y−1, 0.84–1.08 Mg ha−1, and 0.49 Mg ha−1 y−1, respectively, and it increased the mass proportions and aggregate-associated C stock of >0.25 mm aggregates by 1.15–2.51- and 1.59–2.96-fold compared with CK. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation of total SOC stock with the C concentration of >2 mm, 0.25–2 mm, and 0.053–0.25 mm aggregates. Aggregates of various sizes in sandy soils have the potential for greater SOC stock. Our findings suggest that the application of maize straw (6 Mg ha−1) combined with bentonite (18 Mg ha−1) would be an effective management strategy to enhance the bulk soil C pools by improving the soil structure and thereby improving soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of the combined application of organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer using different tillage methods to delay the senescence of maize leaves. The yield and activities of GDH, CAT, APX, GR, and GSH enzymes in maize leaves were measured at different growth stages by using two tillage methods, three organic and inorganic combined applications (P1, P2, and P3), and four control treatments. (1) During the growth period, the R + S and R treatments were P1 treatments, with the highest enzyme activities noted for GDH, CAT, APX, GR, and GSH, which were 36.79–103.22% higher than those of CK. (2) The average yield of all R + S treatments was higher than that of R treatments, and the average yield of P1 treatment was the highest under R + S, which was 13,663.79 kg hm−2, which was 6.39%, 7.90%, and 14.67% higher than that of P2, P3, and CK, respectively, which was lower than that of R. The yield of P1 treatment was 2.53% higher. (3) There was a significant positive correlation between APX activity, CAT activity, GR activity, GDH activity, GSH activity, grain number per ear, ear length, and 100-grain weight of maize leaves at the grain filling stage, and a significant negative correlation between bald tip length and yield. The treatment details had the strongest enzyme activity and the highest yield when using the rotary tillage + subsoiling (R + S) P1 method, which was the most suitable tillage method and the best fertilizer ratio combination, which could be demonstrated and popularized in a large area in the dry farming area of spring maize in Shanxi Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water resource management has emerged as a pivotal concern within arid regions in recent times. The water footprint (WFP) index stands out as a principal gauge for facilitating comprehensive watershed management. This study endeavors to compute the WFP of diverse agricultural products encompassing major crops, orchards, cucurbits, and medicinal plants across arid regions. This research focuses on three distinct climate scenarios: the Shazand Plain with a semidry climate, the Khomein Plain characterized by a dry climate, and the Saveh Plain exhibiting a very dry climate. This study also seeks to ascertain the climate most conducive to cultivating crops from a WFP (green, blue, and gray) perspective. To achieve these objectives, this study employed the CropWat family software to determine crop water requirements, as well as considering crop yield and relevant parameters for calculations. The findings of the investigation unveiled that the cultivated areas in the respective climates amounted to 19,479 ha (semidry), 18,166 ha (dry), and 41,682 ha (very dry). These areas were allocated as follows: 88%, 85%, and 55% for crops; 11%, 13%, and 40% for orchards; and 1%, 2%, and 5% for cucurbit crops. Importantly, the very dry climate was predisposed to allocating more land for low-water-demand orchards. Among the major crops, wheat occupied 44%, 39%, and 43% of the total areas in the semidry, dry, and very dry climates, respectively. Analyzing the overall agricultural output in these climates, it was revealed that over 79%, 69%, and 66% of production correlated with crops; 17%, 19%, and 22% with orchards; and 4%, 12%, and 12% with cucurbits, respectively. In terms of water consumption, maize and apples emerged as the highest performers, with varying consumption patterns across different crops. Interestingly, canola exhibited a substantially higher WFP, surpassing wheat and barley by 56.48% and 58.85%, respectively, in dry climates. Cucurbit crops, on the other hand, displayed a lower WFP in dry climates, which could potentially encourage their cultivation. The influence of climate warming on canola's WFPgray introduced complexity, challenging the conventional correlation between WFP and yields. Medicinal plants consistently demonstrated lower WFP values, underscoring the need for deliberate and considerate cultivation decisions in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uttar Pradesh, with a population of 237 million, is the largest agrarian state in India, located in the Indo‐Gangetic plains. Rice cultivation is widespread across all districts of Uttar Pradesh, which have varying climate regimes, irrigation infrastructures, crop management practices, and farm sizes. The state is characterized by different agroecological zones (AEZs) with semi‐arid to sub‐humid climates with significant variability in monsoon rainfall. In this study, the impact of climate change on Kharif‐season rice is estimated using crop‐climate scenarios in Uttar Pradesh. A process‐based Crop Simulation Model, Crop Estimation through Resource and Environment Synthesis‐Rice, was simulated with bias‐corrected and downscaled climate data for historical (1995–2014) and three future periods (the 2030s, 2050s, and 2090s) for two mitigation pathways (SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6. Phenology, irrigation amount, crop evapotranspiration, yield, and water use efficiency were evaluated and assessed for all AEZs. Based on the ensemble of 16 climate models, rainfed rice yield increased in the AEZs of western Uttar Pradesh due to increased rainfall, while in eastern Uttar Pradesh yield decreased, under both shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). Irrigated rice yield decreased in all AEZs under both SSPs due to an increase in temperature and a decrease in the length of the growing period, with reductions of up to 20% by the 2090s. Irrigation requirements decreased from the 2030s to the 2090s due to increased rainfall and decreased crop evapotranspiration. Despite the projected increase in rainfed yield, the overall rice yield is expected to decrease in the future under both SSPs. Plain Language Summary: Uttar Pradesh is the most populated state in India, with most of the population working in the agriculture sector and having a low income. The state's vulnerability to climate change is high due to inadequate infrastructure and heavy dependence on agriculture. Rice is a crucial crop for the state, but this study shows that climate change will decrease rice yields in the future, especially for irrigated rice, due to higher temperatures and shorter growing seasons. While rainfed rice yields may increase in some regions due to increased rainfall, rice production is expected to decline overall. Key Points: Rice yield (combining irrigated and rainfed) in Uttar Pradesh, India, is projected to decrease in the future for SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5With a projected increase in rainfall, rainfed rice yield increases in rainfall deficit zones, and irrigation decreases under both shared socioeconomic pathwaysPlanting in the early season could reduce the amount of yield loss for irrigated rice [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater irrigation is a common practice for agricultural systems in arid and semiarid zones, which can help to overcome water scarcity and contribute with nutrient inputs. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA) are key in the transformation of NH4+-N in soil and can be affected by variations in soil pH, EC, N and C content, or accumulation of pollutants, derived from wastewater irrigation. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in the ammonia oxidizing communities in agricultural soils irrigated with wastewater for different periods of time (25, 50, and 100 years), and in rainfed soils (never irrigated). The amoA gene encoding for the catalytic subunit of the ammonia monooxygenase was used as molecular reporter; it was quantified by qPCR and sequenced by high throughput sequencing, and changes in the community composition were associated with the soil physicochemical characteristics. Soils irrigated with wastewater showed up to five times more the abundance of ammonia oxidizers (based on 16S rRNA gene relative abundance and amoA gene copies) than those under rainfed agriculture. While the amoA-AOA: amoA-AOB ratio decreased from 9.8 in rainfed soils to 1.6 in soils irrigated for 100 years, indicating a favoring environment for AOB rather than AOA. Further, the community structure of both AOA and AOB changed during wastewater irrigation compared to rainfed soils, mainly due to the abundance variation of certain phylotypes. Finally, the significant correlation between soil pH and the ammonia oxidizing community structure was confirmed, mainly for AOB; being the main environmental driver of the ammonia oxidizer community. Also, a calculated toxicity index based on metals concentrations showed a correlation with AOB communities, while the content of carbon and nitrogen was more associated with AOA communities. The results indicate that wastewater irrigation influence ammonia oxidizers communities, manly by the changes in the physicochemical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dryland agriculture requires the efficient utilization of water resources and the implementation of water-conserving technologies. Mulching is a water conservation practice used in arid land areas to preserve soil moisture, control temperature, and minimize soil evaporation rates. Organic mulching minimizes soil deterioration, enhances organic matter, and boosts the soil's ability to retain water. Mulching can help keep moisture in the root zone, allowing plants to receive water for extended periods. Mulching with composted yard waste led to higher soil nutrient levels, including phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and organic matter when compared to uncovered soil. Under plastic mulch, soluble nutrients such as nitrate (NO3 -), ammonium (NH4 +), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), and fulvic acid are released as organic matter decomposes, enhancing the soil's nutrient availability. Mulching has several advantages for dryland agriculture, such as reducing soil water loss, soil erosion, weed growth, water droplet kinetic energy, and competition for nutrients and water with nearby fields. This review article aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of ground mulching in water conservation. This is particularly important in arid regions where agricultural sustainability is at risk due to drought, heat stress, and the inefficient use of limited water resources during the cropping season. Ground mulching is essential for minimizing surface evaporation and hence decreasing water loss. This review research thoroughly examines the advantages of organic and synthetic mulches in crop production, as well as their use in the preservation of soil and water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh sorghum is a main rabi crop grown under rainfed conditions. Late or advancement of north east monsoon and prolonged breaks may have devastating effects on sorghum yield in rainfed areas of Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh even if the mean annual rainfall is normal. In this context, there is a need for intercropping systems with sorghum which are ideal even under changing climatic situations, so that farmers can meet out their basic needs of food and fodder. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Agricultural Research Station, Podalakur, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, to find out the profitable sorghum based intercropping system for rainfed vertisols. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments each replicated thrice. Result: Sorghum intercropped with blackgram in 2:2 ratio recorded highest sorghum equivalent yield (3539 kg ha-1) and net return (Rs. 45645 ha-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intercropping is an important aspect than sole cropping to address the issues of rainfed agriculture as well as organic agriculture under changing climate scenarios and it also helps in the maximization of productivity and profitability by efficient utilization of natural resources like light, land and water. Moreover, intercropping improves soil fertility through atmospheric nitrogen fixation with the inclusion of legumes and helps in soil conservation through the greater ground cover. Health benefits of minor millets are important in human diet and inclusion of minor millets in intercropping system with pulses are important component of organic agriculture. Methods: The field experiment entitled "productivity dyanamics of blackgram with intercropping of minor millets on BBF under organic cultivation" was conducted during Kharif season of 2019-22 at certified organic research farm of Centre of Organic Agriculture Research and Training (COART), Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (Maharashtra). Result: In case of blackgram, the crop growth parameters and yield attributes of blackgram were found to be improved with sole cropping of blackgram than intercropping system with minor millets. However, in case of minor millets, crop growth parameters and yield attributes of minor millets were found to be higher intercropping system with blackgram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable increase of total productivity by improving resources use efficiency in arid agricultural farming areas is crucial, and intercropping may be a good practice to be implemented in these arid regions. For this purpose, a three-year field experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the research farm of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station of Gonabad, Gonabad, Iran to assess the agronomic and economic indices of intercropping patterns. The experiment treatments included C1: sole cotton, C2: sole sesame, and intercropping ratios (C3: 20:80, C4: 40:60, C5: 50:50, C6: 60:40, and C7: 80:20 cotton-sesame ratio). The results showed that the leaf chlorophyll content and leaf area index were significantly higher in the intercropped plants compared to the sole cropped plants. The yield components of both crops (such as branches per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, and 1000-seed weight for sesame, and opened bolls per plant, closed boll per plant, and seed cotton per boll for cotton) significantly improved under intercropping. However, the highest sesame seed yield (2703, 1979, and 1358 kg ha-1, respectively) and seed cotton yield (3749, 2179, and 3426 kg ha-1, respectively) in the three experiment years were observed in the sole cropping treatment. The implementation of intercropping significantly improved the water use efficiency of the cropping system, so that the highest values in the first to third year (0.67, 0.51, and 0.41 kg m-3, respectively) were recorded in the C4, C3, and C7 treatments. The intercropping evaluation indices revealed the advantage of intercropping compared to the sole cropping. The highest value of the land equivalent ration in the first year (1.28) belonged to the C4 treatment, while in the second and third years, belonged to the C7 treatment (1.40 and 1.10, respectively). The calculation of the aggressivity index revealed that in most of the intercropping patterns, especially in the first and second years, cotton showed greater competitive ability than sesame. The highest actual yield loss value in the first year (0.64) belonged to the C3 treatment, while in the second and third years, belonged to the C7 treatment (1.42 and 0.34, respectively). The highest economic advantage in terms of the monetary advantage index in the first year was obtained by the C4 treatment (1140.5), and in the second and third years, was observed in the C7 treatment (940.6 and 265.5, respectively). The intercropping advantage index in the three experiment years was highest (1.41, 3.38, and 0.80, respectively) for the C7 treatment. Eventually, the results of this research show that cotton and sesame are able to adapt well to the intercropping and this cropping system can significantly improve the resources use efficiency (especially water and land) in an arid area enjoying greater economic benefit than sole cropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil moisture critically influences crop growth, especially in dryland environments. Precise agricultural management requires real-time monitoring of stratified soil moisture and assessment of crops' daily water needs. We aim to provide low-cost, high-throughput information acquisition services for dryland regions with underdeveloped infrastructure and offer scientific support for sustainable water resource management. We used UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) with multi-spectral sensors for routine maize monitoring, capturing leaf reflectance. Constructing vegetation indices, we quantified the relationship between leaf water content and surface soil moisture, using the Biswas model to predict deep soil moisture distribution. We used UVAs to monitor crop height and calculated the daily water demand for the entire growth period of corn using the Penman Montes equation. We found an R2 of 0.8603, RMSE of 2.455%, and MAE of 2.099% between NDVI and canopy leaf water content. A strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.7510) between canopy leaf water content and soil moisture was observed in the top 20 cm of soil. Deep soil moisture inversion from the top 20 cm soil moisture showed an R2 of 0.9984, with RE mostly under 10%, but exceeding 20% at 120 cm depth. We also constructed a maize height model aligning with a sigmoidal growth curve (R2 = 0.9724). Maize's daily water demand varied from 0.7121 to 9.4263 mm, exhibiting a downward-opening parabolic trend. Integration of rainfall and soil water data allowed for dynamic irrigation adjustments, mitigating drought and water stress effects on crops. We highlighted UAV multi-spectral imaging's effectiveness in monitoring crop water needs, facilitating quick daily water requirement estimations. Our work offers a scientific foundation for managing maize cultivation in drylands, enhancing water resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dryland farming is one of the main agricultural models farmers use on the islands of North Maluku, so it is very dependent on the availability of rainwater. The water for crops is available in the rainy season, and drought is experienced in the dry season, one of which occurs on Hiri Island. This study aimed to analyze the availability and water needs of plants based on land characteristics and use to provide information for the development of dryland farming on Hiri Island. The method for calculating water availability used the land water balance approach using rainfall data for the last ten years, while the analysis of plant water needs was based on the soil moisture content and plant coefficient approach. The results of the analysis of water availability based on the land water balance of 2,236.4 mm with an average monthly rainfall of 186.4 mm and according to the type of land use on Hiri Island show that the highest available water in agroforestry was 40.92% in the secondary forest was 39.04%, in coconut, plantations was 35.72%, in fields was 35.18%, and undergrowth was 34.67%. Plant cultivation businesses must meet the water needs of plants to increase production. The people on Hiri Island need 29,340 L of water to fulfill their daily needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Innovative management practices are needed to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector by enhancing soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks, which serve as major reservoirs of C and N in the terrestrial ecosystem. The effect of cropping systems and N fertilization rates were examined on soil organic C (SOC) and soil total N (STN) stocks at the 0–120 cm depth from 2011 to 2018 in a dryland farm in the US northern Great Plains. Cropping systems were no-till continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (NTCW), no-till spring wheat–pea (Pisum sativum L.) (NTWP), no-till spring wheat–fallow (NTWF), and conventional till spring wheat–fallow (CTWF) and N fertilization rates were 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1 applied to spring wheat. The SOC and STN were greater for NTWP than other cropping systems at most N fertilization rates and depth layers. Increasing N fertilization rate increased SOC at 0–30 cm for NTWP and NTCW, but had a variable effect on STN for various cropping systems and soil depths. The NTWP with 50–100 kg N ha−1 can enhance SOC and STN at 0–30 cm compared to other cropping systems and N fertilization rates in the US northern Great Plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is the most important staple food of the country and consumed by about 65 per cent of the population. The present analysis was undertaken to estimate the growth and instability patterns of area, production and productivity of rainfed paddy for the period spanning from 2011 to 2020, factors affecting in non-adoption of rainfed paddy and production as well as marketing constraints faced by paddy growers in Shivamogga district of Karnataka during 2020-2021. Methodology used as Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), Cuddy Della Vella Index and garret's ranking. Findings showed negative, non-significant compound growth rates for rainfed paddy area (1.64) and production (0.95). However, productivity exhibited positive growth (non-significant). Medium stability for area (32.20), production (28.80) and higher stability for productivity (7.33) characterized rainfed paddy, influenced by farmer shifts to crops like arecanut and maize. Chief obstacles to rainfed paddy adoption were late monsoon onset (62.25%), followed by early withdrawal, weed infestation, water control, yield concerns and traditional farmer mindsets. The major production and marketing constraint faced by farmers were identified by using Garrett's ranking methodology on bases of severity. The key production challenges were insect and pest damage (80.00%), low yield (67.00%), labour scarcity and erratic weather (41.86%). Hindrances encompassed delayed inputs, cultivation costs, credit shortages, and marketing issues: price fluctuation (79.00%), high commissions (66.00%), storage inadequacy (50.00%), market unawareness, transportation costs and subpar quality. So to boost awareness and income for rainfed paddy growers, the government should promote traditional practices via financial aid, subsidies and credit support for rainfed paddy farmers. Addressing market challenges, including fluctuating prices and storage insufficiencies, is crucial for sustained progress in rainfed paddy cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farming in the Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of Karnataka is predominantly rainfed and majority of farmers are small and marginal, facing numerous challenges. At present situation, diversification becomes imperative to address economic hardships of farmers. The present study was conducted to analyze profitability of major farming systems and socio-economic factors determining their adoption in CDZ. Four major farming systems viz., Crop + Sheep, Crop + Dairy, Crop + Horticulture + Dairy and Crop + Horticulture were considered for in depth analysis using the data collected using pre tested schedules through personal interview from 180 respondents, 45 each practicing these farming systems. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and suitable functional analysis. The results reveals that, among the four farming systems, Crop + Horticulture + Dairy system was found to be the most profitable with higher per acre net returns (Rs.4,04,757) followed by Crop + Sheep, Crop + Dairy and Crop + Horticulture. Among the different enterprises considered for the study, coconut found to be the most profitable followed by arecanut, while in seasonal agricultural crops, ragi accounted for the highest returns per rupee of expenditure across the farming systems. With respect to employment generation, among crop and livestock enterprises, farmers derived more employment from livestock enterprise (54-84%) followed by horticulture crops (25-58%). The inclusion of livestock and horticultural crops in the farming systems not only provided higher income but also year round employment. Further, in the study the Herfindahl index used to know the diversification in sources of income revealed that the farming systems comprised of diary component were emerged as the most diversified farming systems. The results on multiple linear regression to delineate factors determining farm net income under different farming systems showed that area under annual crops, number of livestock and area under horticulture crops were found to be significant factors in all the farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop and enterprise diversification involves farmers expanding the variety of crops grown and engaging in different income-generating activities beyond traditional farming. This research study investigates the contrasting dynamics of rainfed and irrigated agriculture and their impact on crop and enterprise diversification in Chamarajanagara district of Karnataka. The primary data from 120 farm households in two taluks, namely Chamarajanagara and Kollegala, with equal representation from rainfed and irrigated agriculture was collected. The data was elicited through survey method during 2022-23. The study employed various statistical tools for analysis, which include descriptive statistics, Herfindahl Index (HI) and Tobit model. In the study area, the crops cultivated were sunflower, ragi, maize, horse gram, bengal gram, sugarcane, paddy, banana and maize. Additionally, farmers have diversified their enterprises, engaging in various activities such as crops, horticulture, dairy and small ruminants. The results revealed that, irrigated agriculture had a slightly higher crop diversification index compared to rainfed agriculture. Contrarily, enterprise diversification was observed more in rainfed conditions. The Tobit model indicated that age of head of the family, agriculture land holdings and production of staple food crops for family consumption were significantly influenced crop diversification. As for enterprise diversification, family size, age, irrigation conditions and the number of enterprises adopted were identified as significant determinants. The limited enterprise diversification in irrigated conditions is primarily attributed to the farmers focus on commercial crops, despite ample opportunities for diversification. From the point of view of economic perspective and to improve the economic status of farmers, there is a need to educate farmers on the importance of crop and enterprise diversification and market orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Integrated farming is an efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural activity that uses low-input resources, including abundant local materials, such as waste. According to previous studies, this program has been adopted by the Indonesian government to facilitate the achievement of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the level of sustainability of low-input integrated agricultural farming by determining and analyzing the sustainability index. METHODS: Experts and business operators engaged in the integrated production of organic fertilizer, corn, and laying hen farming conducted scientific assessments to gather primary and secondary data. This was carried out through Focus Group Discussions and the completion of a questionnaire containing 34 attributes linked to environmental, economical, social, technological, and institutional aspects. The data obtained were then analyzed using a multidimensional scale technique. Monte Carlo analysis and alternating least-squares algorithm were used to examine sustainability status and significant characteristics. FINDINGS: The degree of agricultural integration's sustainability from organic fertilizer, corn, and layer hen farming was 86.10 percent. The results showed that techniques in several stages of the organic fertilizer production process, corn cultivation with the application of organic fertilizer, and laying hen farming with local feed, harvesting, and marketing, contributed to sustainable development by considering the strength aspects from each dimension. Based on the analysis results, the social dimension had a sustainable index score of 93.79 percent, followed by economic (90.57 percent), institutional (88.39 percent), environmental (83.45 percent), and technology (74.29 percent). Based on the findings, the factors that should be considered included 1) Efficiency in the utilization of water during egg, 2) fertilizer production and effectiveness of using fuel and electricity during the production and marketing, 3) an Industry manager level of education, 4) the ease by which raw materials can be obtained for the integration industry, 5) potential for increasing the low-input integrated agricultural farming, 6) the availability of integration industry facilities, infrastructure and level of expertise needed by managers in the people's integration sector, 7) Financial institutions' existence. CONCLUSION: Multidimensional mapping showed that the low-input integrated agricultural farming in the dry land of Pangkalan Lada District was running sustainably, with an average sustainability index of 86.10 percent. These results indicated that the integration of organic fertilizer, corn, and layer hen farming in the area had successfully optimized the available resources, created a sustainable farming model, and had the potential for adoption in various locations and future periods. The five evaluated dimensions showed good sustainability levels, with sustainability indices ranging from 74.29 percent (sustainable with a fair level) to 93.79 percent (very sustainable). Therefore, sustainability improvements in these farming activities must focus on technological aspects, with an emphasis on technological attributes that offered valuable insights for the government in formulating policies and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White savory is a medicinal plant native to Iran. It is known for its tolerance to water-deficit conditions. A farm experiment evaluated cultivation in dryland conditions while describing interactions among organic fertilizers (O. F.). Planting densities affected essential oil (EO) and yield-related traits in white savory under dryland farming. This experiment was conducted in the Mehregan Research Station, Kermanshah, by a split-plot design based on RCBD with three replications, and three fertilizer treatments, i.e., cow manure (30 tons ha-1), wheat straw enriched with sulfate ammonium (10 tons ha-1), and farm soil. There were three planting densities, i.e., low-density (2.66), medium-density (4), and high-density (8 plant m-2) during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 crop years. The highest two-year average of fresh yield (3149.90 kg ha-1) and dry yield (1611.70 kg ha-1) occurred in response to rotten cow manure × high-density treatment. The highest two-year average of EO percentage (2.19%) resulted from using rotten cow manure × low-density planting. The highest EO yield (32.60 kg ha-1) resulted from enriched straw × high-density planting. The highest plant fresh yield (3434.02 kg×ha-1), plant dry yield (1231.98 kg ha-1), and EO yield (24.68 kg ha-1) resulted from the second year of harvest. We recommend dry farming S. mutica in a modified substrate using 30 tons ha-1 rotten cow manure and a row spacing of 50 × 25 cm in mountainous regions, where annual rainfall is more than 450 mm on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the framework of the global climate crisis and its specific effect of the mega-drought affecting dryland agriculture in the central-southern area of Chile, this study analyzes peasant wineries as a historical and collaborative commons, with traditional and agroecological knowledge and practices, which is organized and represents an important pluriverse for climate resilience. This takes place despite the threat of dispossession and multiple enclosures associated with the advance of industrial-level wineries and corporate forest plantations. The text analyzes the ways that small winegrowers in the Itata and Cauquenes Valleys protect their heritage and income by integrating interdisciplinary contributions from geology (evaluating climate change manifestations in their valleys), social sciences (observing the care and production practices of the wine-growing commons), and law (analyzing possible legal frameworks to develop in this common defense). All these actions are integrated from an analytical framework of political ecology and climate justice. In these experiences, we recognize multiple elements of climate resilience adapted to the agroecological conditions of dryland farming, showing that wineries are an activity which can protect the local territory and provide climate justice, contributing to protecting cultural heritage and socioenvironmental well-being in communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]